Patience by Rabbi Karen Kadar
Steady yourself. Living takes time.
Each moment is a moment to be lived.
Each emotion to be felt.
We are here in this world to learn and grow.
Fear can teach. Confusion instructs. Sadness informs.
Love elevates.
Take the time to experience each breath.
Especially the ones that make you want to run.
The Levites did not sacrifice; they were not considered as being agents in the atonement of sins, for it was only the priest who was commanded "to make atonement for him" (Lev. 4:26) and "to make atonement for her" (Lev. 12:8). The duty of the Levites was the performance of vocal music; and a Levite became therefore disabled for service when he lost his voice. The object of the singing is to produce certain emotions; this object can only be attained by pleasing sounds and melodies accompanied by music, as was always the case in the Temple.
I believe that PRAYER is the great equalizer.
It is a time for us to let go of the pressures we place on ourselves, or the preconceived notions we have of one another. It is a time to let our frustrations with ourselves, perhaps our family members, or even with co-workers to melt away so we can acknowledge the spark of divinity implanted within every creation.
As Rabbi Salanter of the Mussar Movement once said:
“We must strive to occupy our rightful space—neither too much nor too little. Focus neither solely on our virtues, nor solely on the faults of others.”